I'm new to woodworking and I'm trying to find a beginner-friendly bandsaw. I'm specifically interested in cutting curves in wood, and I don't have any plans to use it for resawing. Are cheap tabletop bandsaws suitable for this purpose?
3 Answers
It's worth considering if a scroll saw might work for you too. However, scrolling can be limited by blade breakage—those blades can cost more. But in terms of versatility, a bandsaw is usually better. Just remember, a good blade on a cheaper saw can make a huge difference!
I have an old 9" Skil tabletop bandsaw from my dad, and it's been pretty reliable for basic tasks. You can usually find these for around $150 to $200, which isn't bad for what they can do.
Sure, just keep in mind the size limitations. Most benchtop bandsaws have about a 9-inch cutting depth, so just ensure your workpiece fits. I use mine for curves all the time without issues.